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This is my final posting for the South Africa blog. Surrounded by suitcases ready to be filled, it’s time to pack up belongings and memories and return to New York.

What a wonderful adventure this has been! As I look over the blog postings, I’m reminded of the welcoming school children, the dedicated educators and conservationists, the amazing animal life, and the natural beauty everywhere I looked.

Mr. Eckert’s fourth graders at Cottage Lane recently participated in a live class with Mr. Tuohy’s grade four learners in Cape Town, South Africa. The 65 students joined together in a class discussion, shared joint online posters they’d created, and even sang and danced together. In other words, we all had a blast!

Every country has wealthy people, poor people, and many people in between. For many years in South Africa, black people were not allowed to go to school. Without education, they couldn’t get good jobs to support themselves and their families. Here’s the result.

I have a confession to make. Some people think it’s a bit strange. Some think it’s just plain weird. Let me see if I can explain it in a way that it will make sense to you.

I’m fascinated by road signs…. especially when I’m in a different country. Talking directly to me, they’re a reminder I’m no longer in New York. As Dorothy would say, “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore”.

Let’s be honest. American money is a little bit…..well, you know…..b-o-r-i-n-g. I mean, it’s all the same size, all the same color, the faces of the dead presidents aren’t that interesting to look at, are they? Take a look at the South African bills. Don’t you think they’re much more interesting?

Last weekend, Naledi and Jessica joined me at World of Birds and Wildlife Sanctuary in Hout Bay, South Africa. Some of the animals are cute, some are exotic, some are just plain weird looking, but all of them are loved and taken care of at this animal sanctuary. Most are here because they’ve been injured. Some were pets at one time, but were later abandoned by their owners.

Can you see the baboon in this video? He’s well camouflaged – almost impossible to see until he begins to move. My husband and I had been walking through Tsitsikamma, a national park here in South Africa, when we came across a troop of baboons!

I got to take Jabu for a walk! Her trunk felt rough and was quite heavy.

Here’s a very serious question for you to ponder. What do you do with the elephant snot in your hand after taking your elephant for a walk? This is the dilemma I faced when I visited The Elephant Sanctuary near Plettenberg Bay in South Africa. Watch the video below for one possible answer.

This Wind Farm, located near the town of Darling, South Africa, is a national demonstration project. It’s the first commercial Wind Farm in South Africa. With just four turbines, it’s a little project with BIG potential!